Page 6 of Bearly Bewitched

Kaine circled a spike in the data with his stylus. “The humans pick up on it?”

“Subconsciously. Reviews keep mentioning the furniture’s ‘organic energy’ and ‘natural comfort.’” Burke’s lips quirked. “One customer swears her new rocking chair cured her insomnia. Of course, she doesn’t know it’s infused with your bear-shifter calming magic.”

A knock interrupted Kaine’s response. His bear’s senses tingled, recognizing the visitors before the door opened. The scent of coffee and vanilla preceded Romi’s entrance, followed by the distinctive magical signatures of his friends.

“Uncle Kaine!” A small whirlwind with wild brown curls launched through the door ahead of the adults. Daisy barreled into his legs, nearly knocking the stylus from his hand. “Guess what I did in magic lessons today?”

Kaine caught her easily, his stern business demeanor softening into the smile he reserved for his niece. “Shouldn’t you be studying with Thane right now, troublemaker?”

“He said I could take a break because I turned all my spelling words into butterflies.” Daisy radiated seven-year-old pride. “Even the hard ones!”

“That’s because she’s brilliant.” Thane followed his student into the office, sharing an amused look with his sister Romi. “Though we’re still working on the difference between spelling words and spell-ing words.”

Romi grinned. “At least the butterflies were prettier than last week’s accidental frog incident.”

“Those frogs needed homes!” Daisy protested. “And Uncle Kaine’s bear liked them.”

“My bear likes peace and quiet,” Kaine grumbled, but his eyes sparkled as he ruffled her hair. Two years of unexpected guardianship had taught him that peace and quiet were foreign concepts to young witch-shifter hybrids. Especially ones as creative as Daisy.

The office filled quickly as Ren, Xabir, and Rook filed in after the Weir siblings. Despite their different shifter natures—dragon, wolf, and tiger respectively—the three alphas moved with the easy synchronization of old friends.

“Starting the meeting without us?” Rook claimed a corner of Kaine’s desk, ignoring the bear-shifter’s warning growl. “Andhere I thought we were coming to discuss Mystic Hollow’s most interesting student.”

Daisy preened. “That’s me! I’m interesting!”

“You’re something all right, pip.” Xabir dropped into a chair, his usual alpha intensity softening around the young girl. “Though I hear the academy might soon have more students like you.”

“Really?” Daisy’s eyes widened. “Other witch-shifters?”

“Not exactly like you, sweet pea,” Ren said, his ancient dragon magic humming beneath his calm tone. “But the new headmistress is opening the academy to more shifter students and teachers. Making it easier for different kinds of magic to work together.”

Romi practically vibrated with excitement. “That’s actually why we’re all here. The academy is implementing complete shifter integration. Teaching positions, combined magic workshops, regular community events—“ She spun toward Kaine. “It could be exactly what Daisy needs. Real training that understands both sides of her magic.”

Kaine’s bear stirred, protective instincts warring with hope. Since his brother’s death, every decision about Daisy’s future weighed on him like a mountain. He’d thrown himself into learning about hybrid magic, spending countless nights researching ways to help her control the curse that twisted her natural abilities.

The academy’s new direction might offer answers—or expose her to more risks. Daisy wasn’t a typical hybrid. She’d been born with curse magic making it difficult for Daisy to control both her shifter side as well as her witch side.

“What does the council think?” he asked, diplomatic training kicking in despite his concerns.

“They’re cautiously optimistic.” Rook straightened, sliding into his business persona. “The economic implications alonemake it worth considering. Better educated shifter youth means stronger supernatural businesses.”

“Plus, it’s about time someone acknowledged that shifter magic can enhance traditional spellcraft.” Xabir’s wolf energy rippled through the room. “Our senses, our instincts—they’re not just physical traits. They’re magical foundations in their own right.”

“Dragons have known this for centuries,” Ren added dryly. “Though I suppose it took a forward-thinking witch to make others see it.”

“The new headmistress does seem unusually open-minded,” Burke noted. “Her proposal for the Community Magic Share event next month is particularly innovative.”

“Oh!” Romi wiggled in her seat. “You should see the preliminary schedule. Xabir’s doing a protection demo with his pack, Ren’s showing dragon-fire techniques?—“

“And I’ve got something planned that will put both of them to shame,” Rook smirked.

“Please.” Xabir rolled his eyes. “Your tigers spend half your time napping in sunbeams. My wolves could run circles around them.”

“Your wolves spend half their time howling at the moon,” Rook shot back. “At least my pride has dignity.”

“Children,” Ren sighed, though amusement glinted in his ancient eyes. “Need I remind you who won last year’s shifter games?”

“That’s because you cheated,” both alphas accused in unison.

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